The actor’s son met with the media in the morning, just before the burning chapel was opened to the public. Citizens can gather there from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
As early as 1 p.m., a few dozen people were already waiting in front of the Monument National to pay tribute to the actor.
He’s been very strong all his life, my father. “He also suffered from arthritis, my father, he really was someone of steel,” said Maxime Le Flaguais with a calm and level face.
The funeral of the actor, best known for his roles in the films Crusing Bar and CRAZY, was attended by family and close friends on Wednesday. On Thursday, Michel Côté’s closed coffin will be exhibited on the stage of the Monument-National, where the actor has already played Broue. Also on stage are the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean flag and two photos of the actor.
A burning chapel was opened to the public at the Monument-National dedicated to Michel Côté on Thursday.
Photo: The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz
Michel Côté died on May 29 at the age of 72 from complications of a bone marrow disease. The man received a bone marrow transplant and underwent chemotherapy, which failed to eradicate the disease, his son said. The actor had a 35% chance of survival.
It’s quite a disease really. As I jokingly said, “It’s not a cold,” said Maxime Le Flaguais.
wave of love
The actor’s son said he was touched by the outpouring of public affection following the death of Michel Côté.
“I’ve never cried so much in my life,” he continued. He [Michel Côté] left us in a media storm, yes, also in a love storm.
Maxime Le Flaguais clarified that his father spent his last days with his family.
“What he left me during that time was overwhelming power,” he said, adding that Michel Côté stopped crying as soon as he learned his days were numbered.
“He taught me how to actually die. Die with dignity, die strong and die happy. He was happy with his life. »
– A quote from Maxime Le Flaguais about his father
Michel Cote
Photo: Radio Canada
He referred to his father’s acting skills, who could alternate between humor and drama in his various roles. He really touched the people he touched deeply, he said, adding that he was touched by the many testimonials he received that portrayed his father as a great man in front of a great actor.
Michel Côté’s son reiterated that his family had not requested a state funeral, adding with a smile on his face that his father would have preferred that this money had been used for things other than his funeral, such as education or health .
However, Michel Côté will be posthumously awarded the rank of Knight of the National Order of Quebec on June 21, as previously announced by the government.
The Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe, came to the Ardent Chapel for meditation on behalf of the Quebec government.
It affects several generations in particular, the minister explained, before expressing his condolences to the family. On top of that, everyone tells us he was such a nice guy. Often we say a really nice guy.
The artistic community mourns
In the afternoon, many people from the artistic scene came to pay their respects to Michel Côté.
I would have liked to have played with him on stage. For me it was a monument. Michel Côté, it’s respect, it’s generosity, it’s the unifying side. “It’s a great loss,” said comedian Paul Dion before entering Monument National. For her part, actress Sylvie Potvin, who appeared in “La petite vie,” underscored the actor’s good humor and bonding side.
Michel Côté ended his film career with “De père en cop 2”.
Photo: Seville Films
There was no filter [avec lui], said presenter Winston McQuade. Doing an interview with Michel did not mean an interview. It was a meeting, it was a conversation. We spoke heart to heart. For Mr. McQuade, the actor made his mark on Quebec culture.
The mayor of Alma, Michel Côté’s hometown, Sylvie Beaumont, also came to offer her condolences to Mr Côté’s family. As soon as you spoke to Michel, you fell under the spell of Michel Côté. He was a man who was extremely charismatic, said Ms. Beaumont.
At home, humanity is before the ego, affirmed the actor Patrice Coquereau. I hope he left in peace.
Several citizens also came to pray in memory of the actor. “It was a big deal,” said Normand Dubois. He lived in the character, he had a lot of talent, added Jacqueline Dollard, who also wanted to pay one last tribute to the actor.
Tributes to the National Assembly
Those elected also paid tribute to Michel Côté on Thursday in the Blue Hall.
“Obviously we are losing a great actor, but I think he will stay in our memories and in our hearts forever,” said Prime Minister François Legault.
It is an actor of immense talent who is leaving us. “If our national flag is flown at half-mast today, it is in honor of him and in memory of his invaluable contribution to Quebec culture,” said Pascal Bérubé, MP for the Parti Québécois.
The leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec, Marc Tanguay, mentioned the fact that “there would always be something left of Michel Côté, who touched us through his different characters”.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Speaker of Parliament for Quebec Solidaire, also paid tribute to the actor. Michel Côté, as we have said many times in recent days, was popular with Quebecers. Everyone loved him. “I think that’s because he loved everyone,” he said.